1. They're very late.

If someone is more than a few minutes late, you deserve an explanation.
FOX

Issues with traffic or public transportation are inevitable for most people, so tardiness isn't always a red flag.

But if your date is more than a few minutes late — and doesn't seem to care that you've been waiting for a lengthy period of time — consider that a first strike.

"I am a little bit of a stickler for time," Sassoon told INSIDER. "I don't mean five minutes, but if someone is running 15 minutes late I definitely expect a call or a text. If someone doesn't do that, it's a red flag in the sense that there's a lack of respect for the other person's time."

2. They expect too much too soon.

If your date makes you feel uncomfortable, you probably don't want to get into a relationship with them.
AMC

"When you're on a first date with someone, and the conversation turns to sex really quickly, stay away," Sassoon told INSIDER.

There are obvious exceptions to this, like if you are there specifically to hook up and have communicated that with your date ahead of time.

But if your date immediately begins making lewd sexual remarks or getting more touchy-feely than you'd like during a casual outing, that's a sign they may not be respectful of your boundaries — both now and in the future.

To deal with this, let your date know you aren't comfortable discussing sex quite yet. If they don't back off, you are well within your rights to end the date early.

4. They get too personal too fast.

If your date seems to think of you as a free therapist, run.
Shutterstock

There's nothing wrong with opening up to someone new, but it shouldn't all come out at once.

"When people start telling you stuff that is really personal really quickly, it displays a kind of neediness and clinginess that shows they're just going to use you as a vehicle for unloading for the relationship," Sassoon told INSIDER. "It's all about them, they don't ask a question, they don't really care, they just want to vomit about their whole entire life."

Basically, if a first date feels like a therapy session — one in which you have unwittingly become the therapist — get out ASAP.

5. They make the date feel like a job interview.

Dates aren't fun if you feel like you have to pull out your resume.
TV Land

On the other hand, you don't want the date to feel like a job interview.

"Sometimes, a person can be too present," Sassoon told INSIDER. "It's like they're interviewing or interrogating you. It's a date, not a job interview."

You don't automatically need to eliminate a potential partner if they're overly inquisitive — some people might ask a lot of questions when they get nervous, or they could genuinely be fascinated by you — but it's worth asking them some questions too, just to see if they open up about themselves or just go back to questioning you.

8. They're too confrontational.

When you go on a date, it's possible that politics, religion, and other taboo topics may come up. But if a healthy debate turns into a one-sided screaming match, it's probably safe to cut your losses with this particular person.

"It's OK to agree to disagree on some things," Sassoon told INSIDER. "But not everyone gets that, and if they make it clear on a first date, get out."

9. They're inconsistent.

Some people talk a big game via text but are unable to actually commit to anything.
Freeform

One red flag may show up before a first date even happens — an ability (or lack thereof) to actually commit to a day and time to meet.

This is especially vital to think about when it comes to online dating, which often makes it necessary to message back and forth with a match to figure out if you even want to go on a date with them. This is fine unless you come across a person who is content to exchange tons of text messages without ever actually committing to a date.

"If you want to meet someone, you'll give them a few times that work [for you]," Sassoon told INSIDER. "If they can't give you a clear answer in response, it's clear you aren't a priority."

So, if you've been messaging someone for a while without planning a date, ask them straight-up if they'd like to grab coffee. If they waffle, don't keep hassling them. They'll let you know when (and if) they actually want to meet up.

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